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Gaining Your Licence

A provisional licence holder must undergo a course of on-site and on-road basic training (CBT) before being allowed to ride on public roads.  On completing the course they will be issued with a 'Certificate of Completion of an Approved Training Course' (DL196).  This will validate the provisional entitlement on their licence and allow them to ride on the road, as a learner rider.  The rider will need to produce a valid DL196 and where applicable a Driving Test Theory Certificate before taking the practical motorcycle test.  Full moped licence holdres since 1990 (eg who have taken CBT) do not need a valid DL196 in order to ride a motorcycle as a learner.  Provisional motorcycle licences issued since 1 February 2001 will normally be valid until age 70.  Motorcycle terst candidates are exempt from the Motorcycle Theory Test requirement if they hold either:

A full licence for another class included in category A (eg light motorcycle - subcategory A1) or

A full moped (category P) licence held as a result of passing a two part moped test.

A rider who holds either a full car licence or a full moped licence (gained prior to 1 December 1990) may ride a motorcycle as a learner after first completing CBT as these licences provide provisional motorcycle entitlement.  A full car licence issued before 1 February 2001 automatically provides full moped entitlement for which CBT is not required.

From 1 February 2001, DL196 certificates issued will be valid for a period of 2 years.  DL196 certificates issued prior to 1 February 2001 are valid for 3 years.  The flexibility for learner riders to take CBT and the theory test in any order is available.  Riders will have to retake CBT if they have been returned to provisional status as a result of convictions within 2 years of obtaining their full licence under the New Drivers Act or if they have received a disqualification.

A provisional motorcycle licence will not permit the carriage of pillion passengers and will only permit the holder to ride motorcycles up to 125cc.  'L' plates must be displayed.  The holder must take and pass the theory and practical motorcycle tests and obtain a full motorcycle licence within the two-year life of the DL196 Certificate.  If the DL196 is allowed to expire, the rider will be required to complete another course of CBT before continuing to ride on the road.

CBT will apply to all learner riders who are residents of mainland Great Britain and any of the following islands; Wight, the island which comprises Lewis and Harris, the island which comprises North Uist, Benbecular and South Uist, MaInland Orkney and Mainland Shetland, and any other island for which motor vehicles not constructed or adapted for special purposes can at some time be conveniently driven to a road in any part of Great Britain, because of the presence of a bridge, tunnel, ford or other way suitable for the passage of such motor vehicles.

CBT (Compulsory Basic Training)

Minimum Requirements

A valid UK driving licence is required for taking CBT Training and Motorcycle Tests.  This can either be a full car licence , or a provisional licence. 

Application forms are available at most Post Offices.

Foreign licence holdrrs may ride in this country, subject to their entitlement, but cannot take CBT training or practical tests.

Age Limits

At the minimum age of 16, riders are restricted to  MOPED, which is no ore than 50cc and no faster than 50kph (31 mph).

At 17, riders can upgrade to a machine that is no larger than 125cc and has a maximum power of 11kw (14.6 bhp).  17 year olds can also take the A2 practical test for a full licence.

21 year olds are able to take the Direct Access Test.

Tests

The Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course is not a test, it is a course of training designed for students to reach a safe and competent level of riding on the road.

The Written Theory Test needs to be passed before taking a Practical Test.  This must be taken at a DSA test centre.

A2 Practical Test.  This is taken on a 125cc machine of not more than 14.6bhp and capable of at least 100kph.

Direct Access (DAS).  Riders must be over 21 and take the test on a machine of at least 35kw.